Didn't want to get up but had to as we had to go home. Still heavy rain and storms raging. Nipped down for a quick breakfast before packing everything. Made sure we had everything then loaded the car. Paul and Helen were just loading their car as we set off. We needed to avoid toll routes so set the guidance to do so and set off.
As we drove the weather got worse and worse. Got bombarded with hail, could barely see through the rain and then water started to gather on the roads. Apple maps happily told us there was a flash flood warning for the area. Still managed to plough onwards despite these things. Messaged the the others who helpfully informed us it was dry on their route and that we had picked the wet one. Lots of lightning too.
When we reached a place called Trinidad suddenly it turned into a lot of water on the road. One part only had one passable lane and then a few seconds later there were no passable lanes. Water was pouring off the fields across the highway. Stopped as did everyone else. Had a look and didn't fancy it. It wasn't the longest piece of flooding but the visibility was so poor you could see how deep it was but we'd rather get on a plane than ruin a hire car. Pulled a U-ey. Looked to stop in the garage we'd just passed but its forecourt was underwater. Went back to the previous town of Malakoff. Absolute deluge everywhere. Stopped in the parking lot of a grocery store called Brookshire's to reassess. We both needed the toilet so braved the torrential rain and ran in. Used the facilities and then bought some cookies and a drink. Sat in the car contemplating what to do. Helen was sending us helpful messages like there was now a tornado warning just behind us.
Helen suggested looking at the satellite images that we just get south as quickly as we could to get out the sprawling storm. There was a smaller road going south just behind us so we headed for it. Found tree debris in places and then blokes cutting up a big tree which had fallen across the road. As we got further south the rain began to ease. Got on to Highway 79 just south west of Palestine and things so much better. Headed towards Austin feeling relieved we got out of the storm. We could see it now north of us.
Then it started to rain again and then it got heavier and then we were in a thunderstorm again. Stopped for fuel in Buffalo. Hid for a brief time under the gas station roof. Used the facilities. Rain was raging again. Look at a satellite image and decided it would best to stay put and let the worst of it go over. Saw their was a Subway just down the road so raced to it. Ran inside and ordered. Woman in there said you're from Britain right? We said yes and congratulated her on being the only person ever to get that right. She said she been to the UK before and wanted to go back. I said we hoped to go back if we could just get to the airport.
Sat quietly for a while eating and studying satellite images. Decided that we had to leave and that eventually we would get through it and things would be better. So we did just that and eventually it did. By the time we got close to Austin we had sunglasses on. Stopped just north of the airport to fill the gas tank so we could return the car full. Cleaned it out and got our stuff all it the right bags. Found we had five bottles of water. Drove the remaining two miles to the airport. Dumped car and went to check in. Drank all the water before we went through security. Got through, met Paul and Helen in the American Airlines lounge. Sat around for a bit and waited.
Wandered to the gate which seemed to be at the other end of the city. Boarding wasn't quite ready so stood still for a bit. Eventually boarding started and due to their being a child with us we were the first to get on the plane. Awesome except we then had to wait for the world and his wife to get on afterwards. Eventually we did take off nearly an hour late. Needed the toilet a lot having drunk 2 litres of water before boarding.
Played monopoly and beat the plane at it. Ate some food. Tried to sleep. I think I did manage to actually sleep for the first time ever. At least an hour. Got woken up by the stewardess for breakfast. Ann definitely slept as the stewardess couldn't wake her up. Played and won Trivial Pursuit against the plane.
Landed, got off plane almost first. Straight through passport control. Bags arrived right at the beginning of the conveyor belt. Unbelievable. Never has it happened so quickly. All Paul and Helen's stuff too.
Said our goodbyes as they went off to the car park and we went to the Elizabeth Line. Got train to Liverpool Street. Arrived there exactly and hour and a half after landing. Must be a record.
Got on our train to Stowmarket. Some really annoying twats on our carriage who stayed all the way to Ipswich. Tried to dose a bit. Difficult.
Eventually got off and then got a cab home. Went to Hollow Trees to get some food and had lunch whilst we were there. Now been up over 30 hours minus whatever small amount of sleep I managed to get. Trying to stay awake long enough to go to bed at the right time. All in all this trip felt bizarre. Going in April, staying such a short time, feels like it is over before it began.
States visited - 4
Eclipses seen - 1
Cameras lost - 1
Total miles driven - 1906
